Tony Khan allegedly allowing a top AEW star to control creative is a problem, says former WWE personality (Exclusive)

AEW CEO Tony Khan has given creative control to a top star which is a huge problem according to WWE veteran Jonathan Coachman. The star is none other than Mercedes Mone.

The CEO has been vocal about having creative control over her character in All Elite Wrestling which has received backlash from many who have slammed her underwhelming promos and character work. Mercedes captured the TBS Women's Championship in her in-ring debut at Double or Nothing and became a Double Champion after winning the NJPW Strong Women's Title at the AEW Forbidden Door PPV.

In an Exclusive Interview with Sportskeeda Wrestling's Senior Editor Bill Apter, Jonathan Coachman spoke about Tony Khan letting Mercedes Mone have creative control over her booking in AEW. The veteran explained how it affects her character and noted that the fans are already turning on Mercedes due to her repetitive promos.

"Well, it's not even so much her specifically that when you're trying to get over and you come in. I love trying to be an arrogant heel I love trying to get that character over. But when you to me right now, Tony Khan is a person who kinda comes off as a fan. I can't even imagine a scenario even though Vince [McMahon] was very hands-on and all, I can't imagine a scenario where a superstar would walk into the building and say, 'I'm the biggest free agent signing of all time.' Because that's what Tony said."

He continued:

"I would never imagine saying, 'I control my creative' because if you control your creative, that's a problem. Because the promos are horrible and when you say the same thing over and over again, eventually the crowd is gonna do what they did recently which was what? 'Shut the F Up'." [From 03:21 to 04:22]

Check out the entire exclusive interview below:

Mercedes Mone claims she took the photograph of Shane McMahon and AEW CEO Tony Khan

Shane McMahon has been the talk of the town ever since a photo of his meeting with Tony Khan got leaked. Many believe that the veteran might be debuting in AEW soon.

TBS Women's Champion Mercedes Mone also jumped into the discussion and revealed on her X (formerly known as Twitter) account that she was the one who took the shocking photograph.

"Lol, I took that pic," Mercedes wrote.

Shane McMahon joining AEW might help the promotion from a creative standpoint. It will be interesting to see if the shocking move happens in the upcoming weeks.

Follow Jonathan Coachman on Behind The Turnbuckle (@behindtheturnbuckle) • Instagram photos and videos.

Special thanks to Tommy Fierro and Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling (ispwwrestling.com)

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